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Chic on the Cheap: Pet Bed Step by Step

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Maybe it was all the adorable puppies on other peoples blogs? Maybe I just didn't want to tackle a drugery project like closet cleaning? Whatever it was, I spent the better part of Sunday on a pet bed for Brooklyn Limestone's very own mascot, Big Cat.

I started off with this vintage suitcase I bought for $3.

Our cat seems to just love to sleep in our suitcases, so I figured it would make a perfect place to sleep. Since Big Cat has discriminating tastes, some upgrades were in order. First off, he needed a cushion.

I used some fabric pieces I bought at Micheals. I just happened to be shopping there for another project so these jumped right out of me. For a more wallet friendly alternative, use leftover fabric or old clothing.

I cut a template of the interior shape and size out of newspaper.

Cut to size. Washed, dried and ironed.

I didn't have a pattern but using my experience making a box pin cushion, I winged it. Its essentially the same concept but larger.

I made the pillow using three different fabrics but you could easily make it out of one or two.

Thats right, its reversible!! For a cat of many moods.

I handed the empty pillow to Mr. L to stuff and fluff while I worked on other embelishments.

I've often mentioned how I love photo gallery walls but I don't have the cajones to make so many holes in my plaster. So who better to give one to than our feline friend?

If you are pressed for time, try to resist the urge from spending way too much time pouring over cat photos and retelling cat history with your husband.

I clearly violated this tip. Do you see its dark out in the next photo?

Here is where I really blew the budget by committing a mortal sin of cheap chic projects. I paid retail for 4 squat wooden legs at Home Depot. At nearly $6 each, they were a splurge. Rest assured, you can find these for much less by scavenging furniture or improvising with other bits that work just as well.

I glued my legs to the bottom with gorilla glue because thats what I had on hand.

Finally, it was time for the unveiling.

Yea, thats right. You see a tiny reversible pillow there. I had the fabric and the machine was already warm - who can you blame me?

I was so pleased with how it turned out. If I could fit, I would have curled in there myself. Down it went on the living floor for his majesty's inspection. Turns out, Mr. Cat wasn't so happy with my upgrades. Do you see what is missing?

Thats right - the cushy pillow I spent most of my time on!

Surely if that suitcase would have been fitted with a black sweater that he wasn't supposed to lay on, he would be rolling around on it happily. All I can do is shake my fist as the pet gods and confirm that we have the world's most ingrateful cat. At least he liked the itty bitty pillow I made.

In the expectation you have more appreciative characters in your house, hope you found this tutorial helpful.

What an adorable project! Thanks so much for sharing. I have to say, Big Cat's distaste for the pillow doesn't surprise me. I'm convinced that cats feel like they need to sleep down inside of something - mine prefers a drawer, weird, I know. But you're right, had your nicest black cashmere been lining the suitcase, he would've been all over it.

As I type this, I'm looking at one of my cats (I only have 2; I'm not some crazy cat lady!) that insists on sleeping on a stack of hanging files that I pulled out of my desk drawer during my office clean-up. I don't have the heart to move them, thus removing the perch. (Or at least that's my story and I'm stickin' with it!)

HIlarious. Maybe the kitty would like the pillow if it were less fluffy...I think it's all about having the walls of the suitcase to hold them in. At least that's how it was with my old cat. He'd even wedge himself into shoe boxes and homeboy was a major fatty!

Fantastic! As a cat owner, not only do I see the need to create a project for kitty, but also understand the frustration at spending money and time on something they just don't appreciate! The pillow is so cute and I love the old suitcase. When I left for work, my furry friend was sleeping in an empty Piperlime box. :)

What an excellent idea and execution. This is really fantastic. My cats, especially Iki (the youngest at 15 months old) loves to sleep in boxes or bags, under our covers wherever he can find a hiding place.You are right though, they prefer to be in something that is meant for YOU, not them.Great post, and thanks for sharing.

Anon - I printed the gold frames and the photos on card stock and then cut out. Only took a few minutes.

I guess I shouldnt' complain. He does like it overall, he just snubs the pillow. Im going to see if I can trick him into laying on it though. We'll see if I can defeat his pea sized brain with my own slightly larger one :)

This is so perfect! I went on a studio tour of Creative Suitcase in Austin, TX and they had a pet bed made out of a suitcase too and I thought it was such a clever idea. I LOVE the way you added legs and the frames are perfection. I'm going to have to do this!

This is such a cute idea! I'd make one but I am almost positive Augustus (my wonderful yet often ungrateful cat) would have nothing to do with it and still sleep on every nice throw I own. Maybe with a little catnip persuasion though...

I love it! How creative you are - and how did you ever find a suitcase for $3? I guess those things are slim-pickins here in the South because they're at least 10 times that in trash piles.

As for ungrateful furry children, I made a dog bed for our den and NEITHER sleeps in it! Make that 2 snubs! I think I've caught my little one in it twice in the past 8 months. One day I'll coax them into it...one day!

Oops - let me clarify - Creative Suitcase is a design studio. They've branded their little agency with suitcases. I have a few photos (but none of the pet bed) on my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26427663@N06/3658526332/in/set-72157620327581549/

Huh. I have an old suitcase almost exactly like that, and the most creative thing I've used it for is lugging The Kid's transformers back and forth to his dad's place. I guess it's serving a purpose, but I'm sure it'd prefer to be serving a more fabulous one. ;)

So cute! (both kitty and the cat bed)Cats are just like kids, aren't they? Buy them a fun toy and they have more fun playing with the box it came in. Go figure. Great job and so creative. Martha should be coming to you for ideas, Mrs. Limestone. ; )

Oh...mah...gawd. That is so fantastic. I wish my dog were smaller...I'd need a full on Samsonite deluxe to contain her! :-) Great job...right down to the teeny kitty pillow. You totally need to send to design*sponge.

I think that is so cute! I love the gallery, too funny :) I'm sure someone mentioned this but how about a safety latch so that it doesn't accidentally close on your sweet kitty? Sorry to be such a poop!

Ah, this totally makes me think of my cat...everytime we pack our bags to head out of town, sure enough, Cleo has to go and sit in the suitcase as if she's thinking "go ahead leave, but you're taking me with you this time".

CC - The suitcase doesn't close unless you push on it hard and specifically snap each lock. Not to mention that if my cat were in it, it would never close anyway. In other words, its a not an issue unless you are using a really big suitcase or one that just happens to lock without effort (which I've never seen before).

Lovely work, can't wait to make one. Any suggestions as to how to hold the lid of the case safely open while pet inside? Another pet might accidentaly knock the lid into closed position while pussy slept! Obviously it's useful to be able to close the lid for moving the empty case/bed around.

This is tooooooo cute, I will definitely have to make one for my cat b/c I just saw some cheap suitcases at my fave antuque store. And the little legs on it are a good call since cats like to be elevated! I am thinking that I will create a thin little pillow/surface of fabric covered platic bags or newspaper since my cat likes that material... Thanks for the idea!!

This is one of my FAVORITE projects EVER!!!! H0w do you stop the top from accidentally closing? We have 2 boxers and this would suit our DIVALICIOUS little female to perfection but, being a rescue she's skittish and I'd worry the top would collapse and she'd never go near it again with a ten foot pole. I CAN NOT tell you how much I'm in LOVE with this project, thanks for sharing!

Goodmorning,Just found your site and I love it!! Put it on FB and I've trying to encourage the Younger Folks to make lovely things for their homes. I make Jewelry and have a blog and Etsy shop so the Creative juices are flowing and especially after seeing your Cat Bed I think I'm on to the Thrift store next. The best to you am now Following YOU! Doris

I took your idea and made one for myself.. well not for me persay.. lol we have 2 small Rat Terrior/Chichua mixed. I had a blast finding the suitcase and findinig the right materials to use and get in there.. thanks for sharing yours... I have found more hard case suitcases so I have more to make now lol

What a great idea, I can see my cats taking the fluffy bed out because they would feel too exposed, if I make it with a pillow 1/4 as high I think it would work. I also may venture to remove the top from the bottom and make two beds, we have 13 cats so if we can get two out of one suitcase that would work. I have suitcases from when I was a teen, those old hard ones lke in your picutre. Have one even more antique also LOL that one would fit my fattest cat. I think I would add some cat nip to the inside of the pillow to make him more inquisitive, I know they love every box that comes in the house, one of my cats puts holes all away around the entire box within one day.

Love this project! but I knew your cat would rather do without the pillow which I thought was wonderful nonetheless. I have found my cat sleeping in a bathroom sink! a salad bowl! and a fabric bun warmer...you know, the kind that has the corners tied up..very small. I watched him settle in, it was a riot but he managed to snuggle in and go to sleep. Same cat would seek my cashmere sweater and nurse it to the point of putting a small hole in the sleeve. Perhaps they all want to go back to the womb!

Awesome! I have to admit, as I was looking at the pillow sewing pics, I thought to myself that our cats would totally not appreciate that part and the suitcase itself would be the draw. Glad to see that they aren't the only ones! Beautiful pillow though, and a very charming cat bed!

As you can tell from the multiple times this has been asked above, its a popular question but not a problem for the suitcase I used. It never once came down. I would think generally suitcases are designed to stay open unless you are intentionally closing them but best to check the suitcase you are planning on using to be sure. If its more of a hair trigger close, you could remove the hinges and replace them with brackets that dont close at all.